We are delighted to announce the appointment of former Scotland international Declan Gallagher as Airdrieonians player-assistant manager.

35-year-old centre-back Declan has a wealth of experience across the Scottish leagues, having featured for Clyde, Dundee, Livingston, Motherwell, Aberdeen, St Mirren, Dundee United and Ross County after coming through the Celtic youth set-up.

Making his Scotland debut against Cyprus in 2019, Gallagher was part of the side which beat Serbia to qualify for Euro 2020, and was named in the squad for the tournament. He went on to make nine appearances for the national side.

Speaking to airdriefc.com following his appointment as player-assistant manager, Declan said: “I spoke to the manager over the summer, and he gave me a proposition that really opened my eyes. It was a massive incentive for me, so I was delighted to get it over the line.

“It’s not every day that you get offered an assistant manager’s role, so it’s something that I was really eager to get done – and working with a guy like the manager, to learn from him is amazing for me.

“I’m still here as a player, I’ll still be pushing to start games of football, but I’m also here to help the younger boys and give them that bit of guidance that they need.”

And head coach John Rankin was equally pleased to bring on board an experienced player and a new right-hand man.

He added: “I’m delighted to get Declan on board. I think over the period of pre-season we’ve seen that we’re a wee bit lacking in experience within the squad – players that have been there, done it and wore the t-shirt.

“It’s important that you can coach from within the game and Declan give us that, he’s someone that I wanted to bring in for that and to help him transition to the next stage of his career.

“He’ll be an asset in such a young squad, so when he became available he was one that we certainly wanted to tie down.”

Welcome to the Diamonds, Declan!